MANILA — Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto on Thursday lauded the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) for its role in fostering a more resilient and inclusive Philippines through long-term, data-driven socioeconomic planning, as he led the celebration of the agency’s 90th anniversary.

In his keynote address, Recto emphasized that the country’s development gains have been achieved not through political cycles, but through disciplined policies that place the Filipino people at the center.

“We chose to believe that our development should not be dictated by political whims but by data, direction, and discipline,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, who previously served as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2008, described DEPDev as “the nerve center of reason in the noise of populism and the scoreboard keeper of what truly matters: jobs created, investments attracted, infrastructure built, and Filipinos lifted out of poverty.”

“Because the true state of the nation is written not in rhetoric, but in economic conditions felt by Filipino families every day—sa presyo ng bigas at pagkain, sa pagkakaroon ng disenteng trabaho, at sa pagkamit ng magandang kinabukasan,” Recto stressed.

Since its establishment in 1935, DEPDev has provided continuity and stability across administrations, guiding the country through economic disruptions, natural disasters, and global crises, Recto said. He cited the country’s poverty reduction as evidence of the value of inclusive, evidence-based planning, noting that poverty incidence fell from 23.5 percent a decade ago to 15.5 percent in 2023, with a target to reach single-digit levels by 2028.

“This means that years of planning have sent millions of children to school, have provided millions of families with roofs over their heads, and have given millions of Filipinos more dignity in their daily lives over the years,” he said.

Recto paid tribute to DEPDev personnel—past and present—calling them “the unsung heroes of the Republic” and expressed gratitude to international development partners for their support.

He also reaffirmed the Marcos Jr. administration’s commitment to fully implement the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and realize Ambisyon Natin 2040.

“Do not stop dreaming and do not stop planning—para sa Bagong Pilipinas at para sa magandang kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino,” Recto concluded, urging stakeholders to sustain a culture of planning beyond politics to secure progress for present and future generations.